10 Beauty Products Every Woman Should Own

With so many options out there, it’s not easy knowing exactly which beauty products you should spend your hard-earned cash on. We take the guesswork out of beauty shopping for you—here, a short list of your 10 absolute must-haves.

Beauty Must-Have: Blush

Blush is the ultimate instant picker-upper. Be it rose, apricot, raspberry, or fuchsia, gel, cream, liquid, or powder, nothing livens up the face faster than faking a fabulous flush with a pretty pop of color swiped across the apples of your cheeks.

Beauty Must-Have: Concealer

If you find yourself plagued by dark circles, blemishes, pimples, and redness on a regular basis, it’s high time to become a pro at masking your minor imperfections. Make concealer your beauty BFF—nothing stands a chance against this cosmetic camouflage.

Beauty Must-Have: Eye Cream

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul—we say they’re the telltale sign of aging. While wrinkles are inevitable, you can stave them off for a while by sticking to a good preventive care regimen. Start using eye cream now to smooth over fine lines, reduce puffiness and the appearance of under-eye baggage, and brighten dull, sallow, shadowy skin.

Beauty Must-Have: Red Lipstick

Much like your signature scent, every girl needs a go-to tube of red at her disposal for three reasons: 1) It’s boardroom- and bar-appropriate, 2) wearing it makes you ooze confidence, and 3) a racy red pout ups the ante for any outfit. Whether it’s crimson, cherry, cardinal, cinnamon, or candy apple, choose a shade that flatters your specific complexion and enjoy the high-fives on your bold beauty move.

Beauty Must-Have: BB Cream

We like to think of blemish (or beauty) balm as a multitasking miracle in a tube. This cosmeceutical is suddenly all the rage because it’s a sheer foundation, moisturizer, primer, and toner all in one. The best part? It not only offers buildable coverage to hide even the worst of blemishes but actually treats them. That’s what we call double-duty beauty!

Beauty Must-Have: Mascara

Long, luscious lashes are equivalent to the cherry on top of your favorite dessert. And it’s OK if yours aren’t naturally showstopping—you can easily add a little oomph to your everyday look. Take your lashes from short and sparse to full and fluffy in 30 seconds flat by swiping a few coats of mascara through them. Can’t decide between the volumizing and lengthening formulations? For a fiercely gorgeous false-lash finish, use both—one coat of each!

Beauty Must-Have: Dry Shampoo

When time is of the essence, a thorough cleansing-and-conditioning session may not be in the schedule. Buy yourself a little extra time between shampoos with a dry variation. The powder formula absorbs excess oil, dirt, product buildup, and odor, quickly cleansing your locks without even getting your hair wet.

Beauty Must-Have: Deep Conditioner

Regardless of style, texture, and current chemical state, everyone’s hair could benefit from a little extra TLC. Take the time to treat your tresses once or twice a month to an intensive, restorative deep-conditioning session that’ll nourish, fortify, and moisturize your mane. Trust us—your newly strengthened strands will thank you for it!

Beauty Must-Have: Face Wipes

You’re too tired, you’ve had one too many…blah, blah, blah! Sleeping in your makeup is absolutely terrible for your skin’s health and appearance, so before you drift off into la-la land, the least you can do is quickly remove it with a moist towelette. Here’s a quick tip: Store a pack in your nightstand so there’s really no excuse!

Beauty Must-Have: Sunscreen

Did you know that the National Cancer Institute estimates a projected 76,000-plus Americans will be diagnosed with malignant melanoma this year? This type of skin cancer is entirely preventable, so you—no matter your age, ethnicity, complexion, or skin type—should be protecting your most precious asset from incredibly harmful UVA/UVB rays on a daily basis, whether the sun is shining or not.